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RPCI provides a comprehensive range of resources and services to help you cope with concerns related to your illness.

We understand the worry and confusion that come with a diagnosis of cancer. In addition to superior medical care and the latest technology, Roswell Park provides a comprehensive range of services to help you cope with the emotional, financial and day-to-day concerns related to your illness.

When you walk through the doors of Roswell Park, rest assured that you’ll find the care and support you need — before, during and after your cancer treatment.

Acute Care Center

The Roswell Park Acute Care Center is open Monday through Friday from 5 to 11:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This new patient care service is available for current patients, and provides access to Roswell Park physicians, nurses, and other experts after RPCI's Care Centers have closed for the day. Please know that this is not a walk-in clinic. Call Roswell Park at 716-845-2300 if you are having symptoms and in need of assistance.

Advance Blood Draw

Reduce the time you spend waiting at your next scheduled appointment — get your lab work and radiology tests done in advance. RPCI offers various lab work locations! Choose from three Roswell Park locations, or take advantage of our partnership with Catholic Health System, which allows you to select from three additional suburban locations. Schedule now in your Care Center or call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724).

Communication in All Languages

Patients who do not speak English, or who would prefer to speak a language other than English, have easy access to interpreters. Roswell Park contracts with the Language Line, a phone service that provides professional interpretation by certified medical interpreters in more than 170 languages, 24 hours a day.

Non-English-speaking patients can access Language Line services by making arrangements through any member of their health care team or, if off-campus, by calling Roswell Park’s Cancer Information Program at 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724), available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Genetic Assessment, Testing and Counseling

The Clinical Genetics Service was established to meet the needs of individuals at high risk for hereditary cancer syndromes based on their personal and/or family histories of cancer. This program is comprised of professionals who provide individuals and their families with a comprehensive, personalized cancer risk evaluation — based on the most timely, accurate information available — in a caring, confidential setting. Call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) for more information.

How to Read Your Pathology Report

Cancer treatments are becoming more and more targeted, so an accurate and comprehensive analysis by a pathologist is critical in determining the best approach. Learn how to read your pathology report.

Nutrition

Dr. Iyer explains the invaluable benefits of a multidiscipline approach when combating nutritional complications during treatment.

Good nutrition is especially important while you are receiving cancer care. During your treatment, adequate intake of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals will help you to be strong, maintain your weight, and promote the healing process. Before and after your treatment, a healthy diet based on moderation, variety and balance will help to promote a good immune system, give you energy, and enhance your overall health. Our Nutrition and Food Service team is dedicated to providing nourishing meals and nutrition care to promote quality of life throughout the spectrum of your cancer care experience.

Group seminars are available on a variety of topics including eating during cancer treatment, healthy eating and cancer-related fatigue.

Palliative Care

Palliative care is a medical specialty devoted to caring for individuals with progressive illness. It is a common misperception that palliative care is offered only for patients who are ending curative treatment. However, the Supportive and Palliative Care Team at Roswell Park can join the care process at any time. This team of skilled specialists provides comfort to the patient and caregivers, addressing the many issues — emotional, physical, and practical — that are associated with cancer. If end-of-life care is needed, the Palliative Care team helps enhance the experience by facilitating hospice referrals and pastoral care support.

Pastoral Care

The Pastoral Care Department at Roswell Park is an interfaith department supporting the concept of holistic medicine. This concept recognizes the integration of spiritual, emotional, social, psychological and physical care as necessary for the health of the whole person. Working collaboratively with other health care professionals, chaplains provide spiritual care to all persons in the Institute regardless of religious affiliation.

Patient Advisory Council

Created in 2012, RPCI’s Patient Advisory Council represents a “culture change” in the way the hospital operates and how it receives feedback from our patients. Patients who join the advisory council become involved with every level of care and are invited to take a hard look at the services and procedures in place at Roswell Park, then provide suggestions for how to make improvements.

If you are interested in joining the Patient Advisory Council, please call RPCI’s Department of the Patient and Family Experience at 716-845-8114.

Patient Advocate Program

Patient Advocates act as a mediator, a connection between you and your health care team. They work with patients and staff to resolve concerns or complaints and to improve effective communication among patients, families, and the Roswell Park care team.

Psychosocial Oncology

Our team of social workers and clinical psychologists work side by side with your medical team to provide individualized assistance and support to you and your family throughout the course of care. Services include:

Educational programs about cancer

Emotional support, including support groups and psychotherapy

Assistance with sick leave and disability

Arrangement of lodging, transportation or language/interpreter needs

Linkage with financial assistance programs and other community resources

Family Support

We extend our services to relatives and caregivers, offering psychosocial support as well as assistance with all of the practical considerations necessary to care for someone undergoing cancer treatment.

Family members are welcome to attend support group meetings or they may take advantage of private consultations with our Psychosocial Oncology team by calling 716-845-8022. Consultations are free and confidential.

Purple Shirts

The American Cancer Society and Roswell Park Cancer Institute worked together to create a healthcare hospitality program that connects patients and their families with cancer survivors. Dressed in purple shirts, these dedicated volunteers visit clinics throughout the RPCI hospital, bringing compassion, understanding, and practical information about RPCI resources and supportive services. If you don’t see a Purple Shirt in your clinic and would like to speak to someone, please visit The Resource Center for Patients and Families at Roswell Park, or call the Office of Patient and Family Experience at 716-845-8114.

Resource Center for Patients and Families

RPCI’s cancer information specialists at the Resource Center for Patients and Families are uniquely qualified to help locate and evaluate the overwhelming amount of online information. They can help with basic cancer information, advanced medical information, and everything in between. Trained cancer information specialists use easy-to-understand terms to explain medical information and provide each visitor with a thorough and personalized experience.Location: Hospital - first floor in the Sunflower Café - Conference Room A Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Telephone: 716-845-8659

Just Breathe

Quitting smoking is hard enough, but struggling with nicotine withdrawal while undergoing cancer treatment is a major challenge. Roswell Park’s cessation program, Just Breathe, offers individualized quit plans and provides behavioral counseling, pharmacotherapy and cessation support to all RPCI patients and their families. For more information, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724).

New York State Smokers’ Quitline

Based at Roswell Park and supported by the New York State Department of Health Tobacco Control Program, the NYS Smokers' Quitline has logged well over one million calls since its inception. Call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). Roswell Park was the first health care facility in Western New York to go entirely smoke-free.

Social Media

Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates on events, services and other relevant information.